Srinagar, Dec 10: On the eve of the International Mountain Day, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Dr Asgar Hassan Samoon today flagged off a team of environmental volunteers at Tourist Reception Centre, Srinagar. The team would launch a daylong awareness campaign in the nearby Zabarwan range at Dhara on Dec 11.
 International Mountain Day is being jointly celebrate in the Valley by the Directorate of Tourism, J&K Ski and Mountaineering Association and Adventure Tour Operators Association.
 Some other organizations like Tree Talks Travels, Save Hangul Campaign, Otomoflora, Highland Journeys and Adventure Call Tours and Travels are supporting the cause.
 Among others the Director Tourism, Jenab Farooq Ahmad Shah, President TAAK, President ATOAK, President JKSMA and prominent adventurists, earth explorers, environmentalists and naturalists were also present on the occasion.
 In his speech, Dr Samoon stressed the need for preserving the fragile mountains and forests in the Jammu and Kashmir state.
 President TAAK, Rauf Tramboo said the government has to focus its attention towards the protection of mountains and forests.  He said that youth must come forward and check the menace of deforestation.
 Tramboo said the JKSMA is a non-profit organization operative in the state since 1984. “The association has done commendation job in the field of preserving the environment,” he said.

Lastupdate on : Sat, 10 Dec 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 10 Dec 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 11 Dec 2011 00:00:00 IST